June (Calendar Girl #6) by Audrey Carlan Read Free Book Online Page A

some tea and cookies. Here, let’s get you set up.” She lifted a pillow and placed it under my foot delicately, being extra careful of the raw ink. Then she patted a pillow, and with two fingers, had me leaning forward to place one behind my back. “That better?”
    Laughing, I tilted my head and took in the lovely woman. Any man worth his salt would scoop her up and keep her for his very own, not hire an escort so he could save face with the big wigs. Momentarily, my opinion of Warren plummeted, but really, it wasn’t my place to judge.
    “You know, I’m not sick. I just got a tattoo.” We both chuckled as she smoothed the blanket around my legs.
    “True, but you’re in pain. Let me care for you. It will be a nice change of pace for me to spend time taking care of a woman rather than two prickly men who think they can take care of themselves.” She winked and treated me to that soft small smile I’d begun to recognize as her own way of communication. Kathleen was a kind woman with a strong will and a gentle manner. I found I liked the quiet way she handled things. For me, she was the epitome of grace. Maybe I could borrow a page or two from her book.
    When Kathleen returned, she was not empty handed. Her arms were filled with items including wine, not tea, snacks, magazines, and chocolates. “What’s all this?” I asked as she set the tray down.
    “I rarely get a girls’ night, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to get to you know you better.”
    I smiled and shimmied in place. “Heck yeah. Hand me a glass of the good stuff.”
    Her eyes lit up and sparkled like a ten-carat diamond. “And it is the good stuff. Taken directly from Mr. Shipley’s private stash.”
    My eyes widened. “Are you sure we should be drinking it? He won’t get mad when he sees a couple bottles missing?”
    She shook her head emphatically. “I’m sleeping with the boss. I have my ways of buttering him up. ‘Sides, he said I could have whatever I wanted, and I happen to know these have been sitting awhile. He doesn’t like Zinfandel as much as I do.”
    “Aww, I see. How does that work anyway?” Her eyebrows rose in question. “The part about banging your boss?” I chuckled and she followed suit. Though I knew damn well how it went to hit the sheets with the man paying your salary. Then again, I hadn’t stayed with any of them longer than a month, whereas she’s been around for decades.
    Slowly she inhaled and sat down on the bed next to me, propping herself up with the plush pillows. She sipped a bit of wine, and seemed to mull the question over. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. Warren and I have been friends for thirty years. I was enamored with him when he was still with his wife. And then when she died, well, he needed me. It wasn’t until years later that we started a covert relationship. Now, I share his bed most nights.” Even though what she said sounded like they were in a full blown relationship, there was something she was hiding.
    “Then why do I get the feeling that things aren’t what they’re cracked up to be.”
    She shrugged and sighed. “I guess I just figured by now, we’d be out in the open. That he wouldn’t be embarrassed to be with me.” Her eyes got glassy and she sniffed softly.
    I shook my head. “I do not get the impression that he is embarrassed to be with you. But, I will say, I’ve been to these events, and you’d be the odd duck out for sure.” I looked over her beautifully pressed blouse, her frilly apron, and figure-flattering pencil skirt. Definitely. She was leagues above the young tarts the men in Warren’s group paraded around. Women just like me. With effort, I choked back a gag.
    “I see,” were the words she said, but they could have just as easily been a cursed challenge, except that she was far too classy.
    Placing my hand on her forearm, I held her tight until her gaze reached mine. “You don’t see, but I’ll show you.” Looking like a woman with ants in